Home appliance door having an air-guiding channel and home appliance

ABSTRACT

A home appliance door, in particular a cooling device, contains at least one door unit having an outer wall and an inner wall, and at least one covering element at least partly covering the at least one feature of the inner wall. The inner wall contains an air-guiding channel formed thereon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Turkish application TR 2019/13340, filed Sep. 4, 2019; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a home appliance door having an air-guiding channel and to a home appliance comprising a home appliance door having an air-guiding channel.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,856,845 discloses a refrigerating device having a cooling compartment that can be closed by a door. The door has a heat insulated inner lining and a cooling air duct. The cooling air duct in the door conducts air cooled by an evaporator to the cooling compartment and the cooling air duct is recessed in the heat insulation of the door and is not covered by the heat insulation on the side facing the inner lining of the door.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an additional improvement, an additional advantage or an alternative to the prior art.

An object of the invention is to provide a home appliance door, in particular a cooling device door, having efficient cooling air circulation. Furthermore, another object of the invention is to provide a home appliance containing a home appliance door having a home appliance door having efficient cooling air circulation.

In order to achieve the objects, the invention is a home appliance door, in particular a cooling device, containing at least one door unit having an outer wall and an inner wall; and at least one covering element at least partly covering the at least one feature of the inner wall. The inner wall contains an air-guiding channel formed thereon. Thus, air-guiding elements that are fixed to the inner wall by screwing or gluing between the inner wall and the outer wall can be eliminated. In addition, an air line is formed between the cover and the inner wall. Hence, the air line provides better cooling performance and better heat-sealing by guiding cooling air from inlet to outlet in an efficient way. By means of the air-guiding channel, the home appliance reaches the setting temperature in a shorter period.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the air-guiding channel is arranged to extend longitudinally almost over the entire height of the door.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the air-guiding channel is arranged to extend almost from an inlet cutout of the covering element to the outlet cutout of the covering element.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the covering element which at least partly or at least mostly or by considering tolerances completely covers at least one feature of the inner wall. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the feature can be a rail, a supporting element, a fixing element or an air-guiding channel.

A home appliance door, for example a cooling device door, is proposed, containing: at least one door unit having an outer wall and an inner wall which in particular encompass at least one interior space which is at least partly and preferably at least mostly filled with insulation material; and at least one covering element which at least partly or at least mostly or by considering tolerances completely covers at least one feature of the inner wall.

By a “home appliance door” is in particular to be understood a door of a home appliance device and/or of a home appliance. By a “home appliance device” is in particular to be understood at least a portion, preferably a sub-assembly group, of a home appliance. The home appliance is in particular provided for storing and preferably tempering victuals such as beverages, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, milk and/or dairy products in at least one operating state, advantageously for the purpose of enhancing a keepability of the stored victuals. For example, the home appliance is embodied as a home chiller appliance, which is in at least one operating state configured for cooling victuals. The home chiller appliance could in particular be embodied as a climate cabinet, an ice-box, a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerator-freezer combination and/or a wine cooler. However, the home appliance could also be embodied as a home appliance for warming and in particular for cooking victuals, e.g. an oven and/or a steamer and/or a microwave. Alternatively, the home appliance could also be embodied as a home appliance for cleaning, e.g. a washing machine and/or a dryer and/or a dishwasher. The home appliance may in particular comprise at least two, in particular at least three and preferably at least four home appliance devices.

A “door unit” is in particular to be understood as a unit which is, in at least one assembled state, connected to an appliance body in a movable and in particular swiveling fashion and which at least partly defines, in at least one operating state, at least one storage space. In at least one operating state, the door unit in particular defines the storage space together with the appliance body. The door unit in particular contains at least one seal, which is in particular provided for sealing at least one gap between the inner wall and the appliance body in at least one operating state. The door unit itself, in particular without the covering element, is in particular sufficient for closing at least one storage space and/or for sealing at least one gap between the inner wall and the appliance body. The door unit can, for example, at least partly comprise at least one stamped part and/or at least one stamped portion. Alternatively and/or additionally, the door unit can for example comprise at least partly one thermoforming part and/or at least one thermoforming portion.

In particular, the door unit contains an outer wall and an inner wall which in particular encompass at least one interior space which is at least partly and preferably at least mostly filled with insulation material.

The appliance body is in particular part of a home appliance device, which in particular also contains the home appliance door. An “appliance body” is in particular to be understood as a unit at least partly defining at least one storage space and in particular defining the storage space at least substantially together with at least one home appliance door. In particular, the home appliance device comprises, in at least one operating state, the home appliance door. The appliance body and the home appliance in particular define the storage space in at least one operating state at least substantially and preferably by considering tolerances completely. The appliance body in particular contains at least two, in particular at least four and preferably at least five walls. The walls in particular delimit the storage space. The walls may in particular be embodied as a lateral wall and/or as a rear wall and/or as a bottom wall and/or as a top wall. The appliance body in particular has two lateral walls, preferably opposite each other, one rear wall, one bottom wall and one top wall, which is preferably situated opposite the bottom wall.

In at least one operating state, the inner wall of the door unit is in particular located facing the storage space and/or the appliance body, in particular the rear wall of the appliance body. In at least one operating state, the outer wall is in particular located facing a user. In at least one assembled state, the inner wall and the outer wall are connected and/or fixed to one another, thereby in particular defining at least one interior space. The interior space is, in at least one assembled state, in particular at least partly and preferably at least mostly filled with insulation material. The inner wall and/or the outer wall can for example be in particular at least partly thermoforming parts/a thermoforming part.

The term “at least mostly” with reference to an object is in particular to mean by more than 50% or more than 65% or by more than 80% or by more than 95% of that object, in particular of a surface area and/or of a volume and/or of a mass of the object. An “operating state” is in particular to be understood as a state in which the storage space is closed and an access to the storage space is prevented, in particular by the door unit. In the operating state, the door unit and the appliance body are in particular located with respect to one another in a manner with a maximum contact area.

A “covering element” is in particular to be understood as an element having the main function of covering at least one feature of the inner wall. For example, the covering element can in particular have at least one further function, which is of less priority than the main function. The main function of the covering element is in particular the reason for using the covering element. An element covering at least one feature of the inner wall and having a main function that differs from covering at least one feature of the inner wall is in particular not to be understood as a covering element. The covering element can for example be in particular at least partly a stamped part. In particular, the covering element differs from at least one door bin and/or shelf.

The term that the covering element “at least partly” covers at least one feature of the inner wall is in particular to mean that the covering element covers more than 50% or by more than 65% or by more than 75% or by more than 85% of the feature of the inner wall.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the air-guiding channel comprises an at least partly undulated wall. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the air-guiding channel contains an at least partly undulated base wall. Thus, possible deformation of the air-guiding channel during the foaming process can be prevented. The air-guiding channel can have smoother base wall after injection of the foaming process, however, it can still be defined as an undulated wall.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, air-guiding channel comprises completely undulated base wall.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the air-guiding channel contains at least one ridge. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the ridge is formed on the base wall of the air-guiding channel. The ridge extends along the air channel almost entirely in a longitudinal manner. Thus, the air-guiding channel is strengthened for foaming process.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the ridge contains at least one gap for distributing air along the air channel in a balanced manner. Thus, the air can flow through the gap so as to expand to entire surface of the air-guiding channel. Using of entire surface of air guiding channel provides better air circulation and better heat transfer for cooling storage chamber in a shorter period. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the ridge contains a plurality of gaps.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the air-guiding channel contains a plurality of ridges separated by gaps. Thus, instead of forming a single ridge extending along the air channel in a longitudinal manner, a plurality of ridges can be formed intermittently. The ridges can be aligned in a longitudinal manner.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the air-guiding channel has an end portion inclined laterally towards the longitudinal center of the inner wall. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the ridge has an end portion inclined laterally towards the longitudinal center of the inner wall. Thus, air can be guided into the air-guiding channel efficiently and possible condensation problem can be prevented.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, air-guiding channel has an end portion inclined towards the cover element. Thus, the possible condensation problem can be prevented by obtaining substantially rounded air line between the cover and inner wall. In a possible embodiment of the invention, height of the ridge at the region of the end portion can be decreased towards the end of the channel.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the air-guiding channel is formed on the inner side of the inner wall. Thus, air-guiding duct placed between the inner wall and the outer wall can be eliminated and so the remaining volume between the inner wall and outer wall is filled with foam. Thicker foam layer provides better insulation and efficient cooling performance. Inner side of the inner wall is the side facing towards the cover wall.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the inner wall contains at least two air-guiding channels. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the inner wall contains three air guiding channel. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the inner wall contains a barrier between air guiding channels for separating the air channels. The barrier is formed integrally on the inner wall. The barrier is a separating wall extending longitudinally. Length of the barrier is substantially equal to the length of the air channel. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the inner wall comprises two barriers between air guiding channels for separating the air channels

In addition, the invention is a home appliance, in particular a cooling device, containing at least one home appliance door.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the inner wall and air-guiding channel are manufactured in one piece. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the ridge and the inner wall are manufactured in one piece.

In this context, with the indications “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “upward”, “downward”, “inner”, “outer”, “inward”, “outward” etc. the positions and orientations given for intended use and intended arrangement of the cooling device and for a user then standing in front of the cooling device in a closed position and viewing in the direction of the device are indicated.

Each possible embodiment disclosed in this text can be combined with the other possible embodiments disclosed in this text if there is no any technical constraint.

The figures, whose brief explanations are herewith provided, are solely intended for providing a better understanding of the present invention and are as such not intended to define the scope of protection or the context in which said scope is to be interpreted in the absence of the description.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a home appliance door having an air-guiding channel, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a home appliance according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a home appliance door;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inner wall;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the inner wall;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an air-guiding channel;

FIG. 6 is a partial, perspective view of the air-guiding channel; and

FIG. 7 is another partial, perspective view of the air-guiding channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a home appliance 1 that is embodied as a cooling device, particularly a refrigerator. The home appliance (1) could further be embodied in particular as a wine cooler, a climate cabinet, an ice-box, a freezer and/or a refrigerator-freezer combination.

The home appliance 1 contains a body 7 defining a storage space 72 and a home appliance door 10. The home appliance door 10 is coupled, particularly hinged, to the body 7. In a mounted state, the home appliance door 10 is rotatably connected to the appliance body 7. The home appliance door 10 contains a door unit 12.

As shown in the FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the door unit 12 has an inner wall 2 and an outer wall 3. In an assembled state, the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 are connected to one another. The inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 define an interior space is, in an assembled state, mostly filled with insulation material.

The home appliance door 10 contains a covering element 4. In an assembled state, the covering element 4 covers several features 28 of the inner wall 2. The covering element 4 is, in the present embodiment, mostly made of metal. The covering element 4 is embodied as a covering plate.

The home appliance door 10 contains an air line provided between the inner wall 2 and the cover 4. The air line is formed by at least one air-guiding channel 20. The air line contains an inlet 52. The inlet 52 is located in a bottom part of the home appliance door 10. The air line contains an outlet 54. The outlet 54 is located in a top part of the appliance door 10. The covering element 4 contains two cutouts 42, 44. In an assembled state, the inlet cutout 42 is aligned with the inlet 52 and the outlet cutout 44 is aligned with the outlet 54.

As shown in the FIGS. 3-7, the inner wall 2 contains three air-guiding channels 20. The air guiding channels 20 are separated by barriers 21. The air-guiding channel 20 is formed on the inner side 27 of the inner wall 2. Inner side 27 of the inner wall 2 is the side facing towards the covering element 4. The air-guiding channel 20 is in the form of a groove formed on the surface of the inner wall 2.

The air-guiding channel 20 contains a ridge 22. The ridge 22 is formed on the base wall 26 of the air-guiding channel 20. The ridge 22 extends along the air-guiding channel 20 almost entirely in a longitudinal manner. The ridge 22 contains a plurality of gaps 23 for distributing air along the air-guiding channel 20 in a balanced manner. The ridge 22 is in the form of a protrusion provided in the air-guiding channel 20.

As shown in the FIG. 4, the air guiding channel 20 has an end portion 25 inclined laterally towards the longitudinal center x of the inner wall 2. Both end portions 25 of the air-guiding channel 20 are inclined laterally towards the longitudinal center x of the inner wall 2. In addition, the end portion 25 is inclined towards the covering element 4. Both end portions 25 of the air-guiding channel 20 are inclined towards the covering element 4.

An end portion 24 of the ridge 22 is inclined laterally towards the longitudinal center x of the inner wall 2. Both end portions 24 of the ridge 22 are inclined laterally towards the longitudinal center x of the inner wall 22. The end portion 24 of the ridge 22 is inclined towards the covering element 4. Both end portions 24 of the ridge 22 are inclined towards the covering element 4.

REFERENCE LIST

-   10 Home Appliance Door -   12 Door Unit -   2 Inner Wall of the Door Unit -   20 Air Guiding Channel -   21 Barrier -   22 Ridge -   23 Gap -   24 End Portion of the Ridge -   25 End Portion of the Air Guiding Channel -   26 Base Wall of the Inner Wall -   27 Inner side of the Inner Wall -   28 Feature of the Inner Wall -   3 Outer Wall of the Door Unit -   4 Covering Element -   42 Inlet Cut-out -   44 Outlet Cut-out -   52 Inlet -   54 Outlet -   7 Body of the Home Appliance -   72 Storage Space -   X Longitudinal Center of the Inner Wall 

1. A home appliance door, comprising: at least one door unit having an outer wall and an inner wall, said inner wall having an air-guiding channel formed thereon; and at least one covering element at least partly covering at least one feature of said inner wall.
 2. The home appliance door according to claim 1, wherein said air-guiding channel has an at least partly undulated wall.
 3. The home appliance door according to claim 1, wherein said air-guiding channel has an at least partly undulated base wall.
 4. The home appliance door according to claim 1, wherein said air-guiding channel contains at least one ridge.
 5. The home appliance door according to claim 4, wherein said at least one ridge has at least one gap formed therein for distributing air along said air-guiding channel.
 6. The home appliance door according to claim 1, wherein said air-guiding channel has a plurality of ridges separated by gaps.
 7. The home appliance door according to claim 1, wherein said air-guiding channel has an end portion inclined laterally towards a longitudinal center of said inner wall.
 8. The home appliance door according to claim 1, wherein said air-guiding channel has an end portion inclined towards said at least one covering element.
 9. The home appliance door according to claim 1, wherein said air-guiding channel is formed on an inner side of said inner wall.
 10. The home appliance door according to claim 1, wherein said air-guiding channel is one of at least two air-guiding channels formed on said inner wall.
 11. The home appliance door according to claim 10, wherein said inner wall has a barrier between said air guiding channels.
 12. The home appliance door according to claim 1, wherein the home appliance door is a cooling device door.
 13. The home appliance, comprising: at least one home appliance door containing at least one door unit having an outer wall, an inner wall and at least one covering element at least partly covering at least one feature of said inner wall, said inner wall having an air-guiding channel formed thereon. 